ISLAMABAD: Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was set to attack Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches held in Lahore however, the plan was averted and terrorists were arrested during a joint operation conducted by Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), Punjab and Intelligence Bureau (IB), The News has reliably learnt.
“They were planning to target PSL in general and some political figures in particular,” an official privy to details said. Although CTD spokesman was reluctant to confirm such arrests, an official involved in the operation said the CTD received lead from its Gujranwala office whereas the operation was carried out by the commandos of IB.
The CTD, Punjab, a newly raised specialised provincial force for counter-terrorism, and IB have busted many terrorist networks through coordinated operations.
Among them are the arrests of those involved in suicide explosion at Wahga Border, Lahore, attack on two churches at Youhanabad, Lahore, suicide attack at Sardar Amjad Khan Khosa’s residence, suicide blasts in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, Lahore and the attack that took the lives of DIG Ahmed Mubin and SSP Zubair Akram Gondal during a suicide blast at Mall Road, Lahore.
They also apprehended bandits of infamous Choto gang who had fled during the operation Zarb-e-Ahan carried out by the Army. They were involved in more than 50 heinous cases of murder, robberies, kidnapping-for-ransom etc. Unearthing of Daish network is also credited to them with IB played the lead role as it was involved in country-wide operations. Operation against Lashkar-e-Jangvi network is apart from it.
The IB, a civil intelligence agency which had long received step-motherly treatment, has radically transformed in last five years under the watch of Aftab Sultan, who will leave the charge next week. Khaliq Dad Lak, a BS-22 police officer presently posted in the agency, is set to replace him.
In addition to improving IB’s capacity through training of the agency officials and purchase of state-of-the-art spying gadgets, Aftab Sultan set up close coordination with police departments of all the provinces and helped in their capacity building. How will Lak step into his shoes remains to be seen?
Right from unmasking intrigues against the government to unearthing terror plots, the IB now can claim its footprints everywhere. Several of its officers have been decorated with gallantry awards by the President of Pakistan in recognition of their services. The agency assumed key role in 2013 when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif allocated sufficient resources for revamping that brought it at par with the rival agencies.
A gigantic test in Karachi followed. The port city was then posing a crucial challenge for the government as organised crime, terror outfits and militant wings of political parties had turned it into one of the most dangerous cities of the world.
The agency led on intelligence front thus sharing worthwhile information to Sindh Rangers and Police that resulted in restoring law and order returning Karachi its status of the City of Lights. Apprehending terrorists involved in many high-profile cases are at IB’s credit.
It nabbed terrorists who attacked Justice Maqbool Baqir, arrested the mastermind and killers of SSP Ch Aslam and SHO Shafiq Tanoli, target killers of Senator Khalid Mahmood Soomro of JUI-F and a renowned social activist Parveen Rehman. Terrorists involved in bomb explosion in Abbas Town, Imam Bargah Shikarpur and Jacobabad suicide blast were also arrested in result of this agency’s efforts besides averting several other terrorist plans, according to information obtained from the Prime Minister Secretariat.
In KP, terrorists arrested who were involved in perpetrating suicide attack on ANP leader Bashir Bilour, suicide attack at Super Market Peshawar, attack on SP Khurshid Khan and SP Hayat Khan, attack on district courts Peshawar, killing of three IB and beheading of two ISI personnel, attack at Imamia Masjid and the one involved in Shahbaz Taseer kidnapping.
The agency unearthed nexus of Jamatul Ahrar (JUA) with Indian agency RAW and Afghan NDS through arrest of an Ahrar commander who confessed to receiving 12 consignments of arms/ammunition from the foreign agencies. Pakistan Army conducted operation against JUA network in Swabi.
In Balochistan, it arrested terrorists involved in suicide attacks against Hazara community as well as target killing of law enforcement agencies, attack on Police Training Center as well as those who killed advocate Bilal Anwar Kasi and Barrister Amanullah Achakzai.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, the killers of prominent Shia leader Agha Ziaud Din were arrested by the agency which also unearthed a RAW-funded network of Balwaristan National Front.
The agency in joint operation with police arrested four suspects from Islamabad who were wanted in connection with the killing of Col (R) Shuja Khanzada, Punjab’s home minister and apprehended several TTP militants.
Overall, IB conducted around 3,636 Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs) in five years (2013-2017) which resulted in resolving/tracing around 7,492 cases countrywide. Among them were the tracing of culprits of 76 suicide attacks, 173 bomb blasts, 880 cases of target killing, 264 attacks on law enforcement agencies, 297 extortion cases, 373 kidnapping for ransom incidents, according to information obtained from the Prime Minister Secretariat.
As many as 2,750 terrorists were arrested; 52 of them were hardcore whereas 67 carried head money and 1,045 were proclaimed offenders. As many as 144 gangs of arms smugglers were busted and around 2,974 other cases pertaining bank robberies, murders, money-laundering and other blind cases were solved.